11 Easy Ways to Save Money

Quick tips from the pros for a surprise pocketful of cash

You know that feeling of excitement you get when you reach into the pocket of a jacket you haven't worn for a while and pull out a $10 bill you'd forgotten? I love when that happens. That's the same burst of joy you're going to get every time you discover a new way to spend less. Here are 11 super-simple ideas that are like found money.

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Entertain the Family for Free

Bank of America has an agreement until April 2009 with 73 museums across the country that allows you to get in free the first weekend of the month if you show them your Bank of America debit, credit or ATM card. Go to bankofamerica.com/m

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Get a Good Rewards Credit Card

If you use a debit card to pay for day-to-day expenses (food, gas, etc.), switch to a credit card that has a great rewards program—but be sure to pay your monthly balance on time. Rewards cards carry higher interest, so if you let a ba

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Gather Your Books

Do you have books in good condition? Go to cash4books.net, type in the books' ISBN numbers (which you'll find on the back cover or on the copyright page in the front of the books), and see if you can get cash for them. Complete the trans

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Start a Blog

You can write about nearly anything—from what it's like to be a mom to politics. It's free to set one up (visit blogger.com), and once you do, you can place ads using an easy program like Google AdSense (google.com/adsense). Each time

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Do It Yourself

Pick out one item or service you purchase each month, and make or do it yourself. Then pocket the money. For example, make your own laundry detergent with out easy recipe (go to womansday.com/diy); it works extremely well, and boy, will

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Take Advantage of Online Rebates

With Microsoft's new Live Search Cashback program, customers who make an online purchase after using Live Search (Microsoft's version of Google or Yahoo!) are eligible for a cash-back rebate from Microsoft. Once you have accumulated at l

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Shop Your Life Insurance

In the '90s, term life insurance dropped considerably in price, and rates have continued to decline since then. If you're currently paying for whole life or term life, get a few quotes online. Websites such as FindMyInsurance.com, AccuQu

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Refinance Your Car Loan

Did you know you can refinance a car? Interest rates are likely lower now than when you signed up for car payments several years ago, so you may be able to cut your payment significantly. Generally, banks require your car to be a 2001 mo

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Tap into H20

Some people consider bottled water a necessity, even though a great low-cost alternative is available from any faucet in their homes. Try this for just one month: Switch from soft drinks and bottled water to good old tap water, and see h

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Ask for Lower Interest

Call the customer service number on the back of your credit card, and ask to speak with a supervisor. Say that you're receiving offers to transfer your balance, but you prefer to stay, provided they reduce your interest rate to match the

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Save on Children's Clothes

Possibly the best deals on high-quality, gently worn (often brand-new) kids' clothes are at consignment and secondhand stores. With more than 230 locations nationwide, the resale chain Once Upon a Child (ouac.com) features name-brand fai

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